Local soccer team wins state cup, another reaches semis

Gaston County had not one but two teams in the final four of the N.C. Youth Soccer Association Kepner President’s State Cup, and one of them was able to bring home the title.

The Strikers of Gaston County Soccer Association’s 95 Hurricanes defeated CRSC Carolina Select Girls of Raleigh in penalty kicks Sunday in Wilson for the state championship.

“To go out with the state cup was a nice achievement for these girls,” the team’s coach, Lito Mantecon, said. “I’m just proud. They really worked hard.”

The teams played to a scoreless tie through regulation and overtime before going to penalty kicks. In the first set of five penalty kicks, the teams tied 3-3 with Maggie Rankin, Morgan Whitesides and Olivia Schmitke scoring for the Hurricanes. Then, in sudden death penalty kicks, Bailey Bullock scored for the Hurricanes and Conner McCuen saved a shot to seal the outcome.

In the semifinals on Saturday, the Hurricanes defeated Charlotte Soccer Academy North Elite 4-0. Maggie Rankin, McCuen, Georgia Belk and Katie Robinson scored the Hurricane goals in that match. Rankin set a record for fastest goal in a state cup match when she scored in the first six seconds.

“The defense was frozen,” Mantecon said. “I don’t think they expected us to jump on them that quickly.”

The Hurricanes had qualified for the final four through two weekends of play. They defeated WYSA Wilson Explosion 1-0 on Nov. 3, lost to Gaston United Blue 2-0 on Nov. 9 and crushed CASL Premier 7-1 on Nov. 10.

Gaston United also reached the final four by winning one match and tying two others in group play. Gaston United tied CASL Premier 1-1, defeated the eventual champion Hurricanes 2-0 and tied WYSA Wilson Explosion 2-2 in group play over two weekends.

Then in Saturday’s semifinals, Gaston United suffered a 3-1 loss to CRSC Carolina Select. Caitlyn Miller scored the lone goal for Gaston United.

Gaston United coach Tatum Bourque said it was the first time Gaston United entered the tournament, let alone advance that far. And the Strikers had never had the success they enjoyed this weekend.